MADISON – The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) issued an order directing the City of Madison’s Clerk’s Office to implement a series of administrative and procedural changes following the WEC’s investigation into nearly 200 uncounted absentee ballots in Madison during the 2024 November General Election.
On Friday, the Commission voted 5-1 to issue a compliance order requiring changes by the City of Madison regarding the printing of poll books, absentee ballot handling, staff responsibilities, and training. The order was issued under state law that permits the Commission to mandate changes to practices and procedures whenever an election official has taken actions contrary to law or abused their discretion.
It comes after the WEC voted last month to accept the findings of the investigation, but reserved time for the Clerk’s Office to provide feedback on the proposed order dealing with the city’s failure to count 193 ballots during the 2024 presidential election.
The city clerk must certify compliance with the order in writing to the Commission no later than January 1, 2026. The order also requires the city clerk to provide a written explanation of the steps taken to comply with each aspect of the order, as well as the efforts it intends to implement ahead of the statewide election on February 17, 2026.
The Commission’s purpose throughout this investigative process has been to identify the causes and contributing factors in the incident so that the City of Madison can take steps to avoid similar occurrences in future elections, and to educate other municipalities about the consequences of failing to use proper procedures for handling and documenting absentee ballots.
